All times are CST. Program subject to change.

All times are CST. Program subject to change.

All times are CST. Program subject to change.

Plan to join us on in the morning on Friday October 23, 2026 for a Post-PAW Congress workshop designed to educate, connect and engage our community following the excitment and discovery of the PAW Congress. More details, including how to register, coming over the summer!

Registration will be open the USask Campus community as well as PAW Attendees. If you have any questions on this Pre-PAW Congress events, please email international.office@usask.ca.   

All times are CST. Program subject to change.

Details coming over the summer!

SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

PAW 2026 will feature three engaging panels with local, national and international experts.

Critical Resources, Critical Choices: Energy Security in Transition 

As the world transitions to cleaner sources of energy, including renewables and nuclear, countries around the globe are seeking stable partners to strengthen their energy security. Canada and Saskatchewan are emerging as leaders in energy and mineral resources that are essential to this transition. This panel addresses both the challenges and enormous opportunities that Saskatchewan can play in the global energy system of the future.

Health and Sustainable Development: Lessons from the Well-being Economy

In resource rich countries, developing sustainable methods for optimal natural resource use is a challenge. To do so, a balance between short, medium and long-term community and regional impacts must be considered.  This panel will explore how to incorporate a well-being economy approach to help guide sustainable development in Canada and beyond. Using findings from global case studies, the panel will explore ways to advance this challenge at local, regional, national and international levels.

Indigenous Workforce Development: Governance and Economic Participation

This panel will examine Indigenous workforce development through the interconnected lenses of governance, jurisdiction and economic participation. It will explore how these three distinct groups support meaningful participation in resource development and related economic opportunities. The discussion will explore how workforce issues are shaped by broader questions of rights, self-determination and community benefit.

SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

PAW 2026 will feature two sets of enriching concurrent sessions for attendees to choose from.

Biomining and Bioremediation: Biological Solutions for Sustainable Resource Development

Biomining and bioremediation are enduring practical approaches that are part of the solution to reduce the environmental footprint of resource extraction while improving recovery of critical minerals. This session will examine how biological processes are being applied in mining operations and site remediation, with examples from industry and research. Panelists will discuss scalability, regulatory considerations, contributions to responsible resource development and the role of innovation in advancing more sustainable mining practices.

Energy and Technology: New Pressures and Innovations

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a powerful tool that can advance many areas of our daily lives. However, AI’s immense energy needs and environmental impacts, such as heat emissions, are affecting communities around the world that are hosts to AI data centres.  How will we meet the energy needs and solve the environmental impacts required to develop this powerful tool and make it available to everyone? What should change: our computers or the grid itself? 

Global Minerals and Energy: Strategic Partnerships, Security and the Future of Supply

International partnerships are becoming central to supply chain security and sustainable development as the global demand for critical minerals and energy accelerates. This session will examine how countries and established energy markets are navigating resource development, geopolitical pressures and investment dynamics. Panelists will share perspectives on collaborations, policies and innovations that are shaping the future of minerals and energy systems.

Supporting Thriving Communities: Working Together to Steward Resources for a Sustainable Future  

As the global demand for critical minerals accelerates the clean energy transition, communities sit at the center of opportunity. But with any opportunity comes risk. This session examines how sustainable energy pathways can—and must—support human health, social equity and long-term community wellbeing and environmental protection, ensuring that the transition creates truly thriving communities.

PAW 2026 Registration Refund Policy:

• 100% Refund: A full refund, minus administrative fees, will be provided for cancellations made up to 4 weeks prior to registration closing on October 9, 2026.
• 50% Refund: A 50% refund, minus administrative fees, will be provided for cancellations made between 4 weeks and 2 weeks prior to registration closing on October 9, 2026.
• No Refunds: No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 2 weeks of registration closing on October 9, 2026.
• Administrative Fees: Administrative fees are non-refundable and cover costs associated with processing and handling the registration and cancellation.
• Cancellation Deadline: Cancellations must be made in writing and received within the applicable time frames to qualify for a refund. Please contact international.office@usask.ca to arrange a ticket refund.
• Refund Process: Refunds will be processed within 7 business days from the date of cancellation approval.
• Ticket Transfer: Tickets are always transferable to a different name. Please contact international.office@usask.ca to arrange a ticket transfer.

Hotel Accomodations:

PAW 2026 Congress Hotel rates have been arranged at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites East - University and Staybridge Suites East - University for attendees.

• Hotel Information

Students and postdoctoral fellows are eligible to submit an abstract if they meet the following criteria:

• Are actively enrolled at University of Saskatchewan (USask) as a student, including undergraduate, graduate, exchange, visiting research student (VRS), and visiting student; or
• All students and postdoctoral fellows who are currently registered, hired or appointed at USask, whether as full or part-time students, members of a research team, or holding in-scope or external appointments, or
• A student registered for PAW 2026.

In addition, applicants must:

• Demonstrate how their research connects to the theme of the 2026 Congress or relevant SDG(s).
• Be actively enrolled in an undergraduate, master's, or doctoral program or be a current postdoctoral fellow, if applying in a postdoctoral capacity.
• Normally be the first author of the work being presented. Group research projects are welcome; however, only one individual may submit the abstract and serve as the official presenter.
• Submit only one abstract for consideration.
• Are conducting research under the supervision of a faculty member.
• Present work that reflects current or ongoing research, data collection, or analysis. Previously published or previously presented work may be subject to review and restrictions.
• If they have successfully defended their thesis or dissertation but have not yet officially graduated, they remain eligible to participate. Individuals who have formally graduated prior to the Congress are not considered active students and therefore are not eligible under the student category.
• Entries must be authorized for public website display and congress voting.

Fees:

• Participation in the competition is free of charge.
• The PAW Congress will pay for printing of posters*

 *Posters must be printed by the Congress organizing committee and will be posted in the venue prior to the start of the Poster Competition.

 Congress Registration:

• Students who are registered for the Congress are encouraged to submit an application to participate.
• Students who are not registered for the Congress may also submit an abstract and participate in the competition if the abstract is accepted. However, these participants will have access only to the Poster Competition and will not be eligible to attend other Congress activities and events.

Submit Your Abstract:   Call for abstracts will open August 7^th

Submission Guidelines:

• Abstract Length: Maximum 300 words.
• Required Structure: Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusions/Discussion.
• Submission Deadline: September 16, 2026 (4:00pm)

Authors of accepted abstracts will receive a targeted invitation with instructions for the Call for Posters process.

 Presentation Format: All accepted abstracts will be presented as posters during the dedicated Poster Competition session. Details of the poster size will be provided to selected candidates.

The Poster Competition will be evaluated through congress voting, giving Congress participants the opportunity to recognize the research that they find most engaging, impactful, and effectively communicated.

Throughout the Poster Competition session, attendees will be invited to view the posters, interact with presenters, and cast their votes for their favorite submissions. Voting will consider factors such as:

• Clarity and quality of the poster presentation
• Significance and relevance of the research
• Effectiveness of communication to a broad audience
• Engagement with attendees during the Poster Competitions

 At the conclusion of the voting period, the posters receiving the highest number of votes win the prize awards. Award recipients will be announced via online and at the Congress Day 2 opening event, following the conclusion of the voting at the Poster Competition.

 In addition, there will be an opportunity for a community choice winner, which will be open to congress participants and campus community who visit the poster competition. The community choice winner will not present but will be notified as the winner and receive a small prize.

The top three posters receiving the highest number of congress votes will be invited to present during the Congress program.  

Top 3 winner 3-minute research showcase to PAW Congress attendees: Thursday October 22 at 8:30am

• Abstract Submission Deadline: September 16, 2026 (4:00pm)
• Notification of Acceptance: September 23, 2026
• Call for Poster from accepted candidates period: September 24 – October 7
• Deadline to submit poster details: October 7
• Poster Competition Event Date: Wednesday October 21 from 1:00pm – 2:45pm
• Top three 3-minute research showcase to PAW Congress attendees: Thursday October 22 at 8:30am

• First place: $200.00 CAD
• Second place: $100.00 CAD
• Third place: $50.00 CAD
• Community Choice Award: $50.00 CAD

Our University Plan 2025 commits us to be “The University the World Needs”. This means harnessing our talents and resources to respond to contemporary challenges and opportunities. The Critical Path to Sustainability strategy lays out an ambitious set of five goals and 17 actions that responds to these challenges and opportunities. We commit to achieving them by 2030, aligning with the Agenda Sustainable Development Goals.

• USask Sustainability Strategy (2021-2030)

• USask EDI Framework for Action

• Indigenous Engagement at USask